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Image: Shannon Fagan/Getty ImagesAre you prepared to spring forward? This year, daylight saving time kicks off on Sunday, March 10th at 2 a.m. Every second Sunday in March, we lose an hour of sleep as we shift the clocks forward. (We regain that hour in November when daylight saving time concludes.)
Ever wonder why we still go through these time shifts twice annually, even though most Americans are against it? A 2022 Monmouth poll revealed that 61% of Americans favor making either daylight saving time (DST) or standard time permanent year-round. Find out why that hasn’t become a reality and get answers to other frequently asked questions about daylight saving time.
When should you adjust your clocks forward and back?
Clocks officially shift forward at 2 a.m. on the start of DST, which is March 10. Many devices like computers and smartphones automatically make this change (assuming you’re awake to witness daylight saving time in action). However, for other non-smart devices, you'll likely need to adjust the clocks manually.
When does DST end in 2024?
Enjoy brighter evenings until Sunday, November 3 (exactly at 2 a.m.). That’s when the clocks turn back an hour, allowing you to recover that hour of sleep lost on March 10.
When does DST start in 2025?
Looking to prepare for next year's time shifts? We'll spring forward on Sunday, March 9, and fall back on Sunday, November 2 next year.
Our biannual clock changes are a great reminder to tackle those semiannual tasks, like replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors. It’s also the perfect chance to kick off your spring cleaning!
How Did DST Begin?
There's a popular belief that daylight saving time was created to help farmers, but it was originally introduced as a temporary measure to save energy during World War I and II. It was repealed after each war, earning it the nickname "war time," according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
DST was re-established as a permanent practice in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act, where daylight saving time began in April and ended in October. The start and end dates have been modified since, most recently in 2005 under the Energy Policy Act, resulting in DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
States That Do Not Observe DST
Only two states, Hawaii and Arizona, do not follow daylight saving time, largely because they experience abundant sunshine throughout the year. Additionally, several U.S. territories—American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—do not alter their clocks twice annually.
Several other states, including California, Florida, Delaware, Georgia, and Ohio, have voted on or passed measures seeking to abolish daylight saving time, though none of these laws have been enacted and are still awaiting federal action.
What Is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced in 2021, proposed eliminating the practice of changing the clocks twice a year, aiming to make daylight saving time the new permanent time for the entire country. A bipartisan group of senators passed the bill on March 15, 2022, but it was not taken up or voted on by the House of Representatives.
The bill was reintroduced as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 to the new Congress in January of the following year. Unfortunately, it became stalled in both a Senate committee and a House subcommittee, with its future remaining uncertain and far from clear.
Perhaps the Sunshine Protection Act will make a comeback when the new Congress assembles in 2025. For it to become law, both chambers need to vote on and approve it, and the President would then need to sign it into law. For the time being, expect the ongoing semiannual clock changes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Making DST Permanent
Although switching the clocks is undoubtedly frustrating, the practice has tangible negative consequences for society. Research has shown a link between the clock changes and an uptick in car accidents, heart attacks, workplace injuries, and even depression in the weeks following the transition between daylight saving time and standard time. Experts suggest that the disruption to people's sleep cycles might be a contributing factor to these risks.
Despite widespread public support for ending the clock-changing routine, there is no agreement on whether the permanent time should be daylight savings or standard time. Some argue that permanent standard time would be more beneficial to health and well-being as it aligns better with our natural circadian rhythms.
Supporters of standard time further argue that permanent daylight savings, with its delayed sunrises, could make morning commutes more dangerous for both workers and students. For instance, during daylight savings time, the winter sun wouldn't rise until after 8 a.m. in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.
